China Begins for Privately Funded HSR

The 269 km line will connect Hangzhou and Taizhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, among China’s most prosperous provinces and one where the private sector is flourishing, Efe news reported.

Fifty-one per cent of the total investment of 44.9 billion yuan ($6.46 billion) is financed by the private sector, which also reflects Beijing’s plans to reduce the state’s presence from economic activity. According to Xinhua news agency, the investors include financial conglomerate Fosun, automobile manufacturers Geely and Wanfeng Auto, who will have a 30-year franchise period, which includes the four years the construction is expected to last.

Local governments will subsidize the project for smooth operation, and will take up ownership of the high speed rail at the completion of this period.